USC football team in better mood heading to Las Vegas Bowl than El Paso

USC Coach Clay Helton with QB Cody Kessler. USC held the final Saturday practice of the season before the Trojans play Fresno State on December 21 in Las Vegas. Los Angeles, CA. 12/14/2013, photo by (John McCoy/Los Angeles Daily News)

USC tried to put a positive spin on last year’s trip to the Sun Bowl, but the Trojans admitted Sunday the team’s morale is much higher entering this week’s Las Vegas Bowl.

“Last year, not everyone was pleased with the Sun Bowl after thinking they were going to win the national championship,” wide receiver Marqise Lee said.

That was echoed by quarterback Cody Kessler, who was the backup quarterback entering the Sun Bowl.

“Guys weren’t really into it, you could tell,” he said.

Kessler said the Trojans are invigorated for the trip to Las Vegas, even though the conventional wisdom is Fresno State will be more motivated.

“It means a lot more to this team the way we’ve come together,” Kessler said. “We have an opportunity to do something great. These guys have put so much into this team. It’s a big deal. Like Coach O (Ed Orgeron) said, there’s only 22 teams or something that already have 10 wins.

“We’re not going there to party or do other things. It’s a business trip for us.”

NFL decisions

Lee and tight end Xavier Grimble said they will wait until after the Las Vegas Bowl to make their official announcements on whether to apply for the NFL draft.

“I don’t even have a clue (right now),” Lee said. “After the bowl game, within the next week of the bowl game (I will decide).”

Lee said he has not yet met with new USC coach Steve Sarkisian to discuss his plans.

“I’m trying to wait until he’s settled down,” Lee said. “I’ve got to sit down with my parents and him, that’s very important that my parents talk to him.”

Grimble said he is unsure what he will decide.

“I’m not really sure when I’ll decide,” Grimble said. “I want to get through this week and I’ll focus on my future plans.”

Idaho recruit commits

Defensive end Don Hill of Boise, Idaho, committed to USC on Sunday and will enroll in January. Hill originally committed to Washington, but new coach Chris Petersen dropped him when he replaced Sarkisian.

Hill is the fourth player to enroll early, joining defensive tackle Claude Pelon of Mesa Community College in Arizona, along with offensive linemen Toa Lobendahn of La Habra and Jordan Austin of Claremont. This means there is no longer an early spot for offensive tackle Jordan Poland of La Jolla, who could conceivably sign in February.

Advertisement

Ticket talk

USC has sold approximately 5,000 tickets and Fresno State 7,000, according to Las Vegas associate executive director John Saccenti. Each school must sell 11,000 tickets. The capacity of Sam Boyd Stadium is 40,000.

No regrets for Redd

Tailback Silas Redd, who will not play in the Las Vegas Bowl because of a sprained knee, said he does not regret missing his final college game but will accompany the team to play Fresno State.